Preface:    Much of Leviticus 22 is about the restrictions on animal sacrifices and those offering up these sacrifices.

The Bible Summary of Leviticus 22 (in 140 characters or less): A priest shall not eat the offerings if he is unclean. No outsider shall eat the offerings. Offerings must be animals without defect.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Leviticus. This will be the most extensive examination of Leviticus 22, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 22:

Introduction

         vv.     1–

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Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Leviticus 22 (by various commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Leviticus 22 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Leviticus 22

         Introduction         The Prequel of Leviticus 22

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Principals of Leviticus 22

         Introduction         The Places of Leviticus 22

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         Timeline for Leviticus 22

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 22

         Introduction         Outlines of Leviticus 22 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 22 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Leviticus 1–15)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions (for Leviticus 22)

         Introduction 

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Leviticus 22 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Leviticus 22

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Leviticus 22

         Summary            Edersheim Summarizes Leviticus 22

         Summary 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Leviticus 22

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Leviticus 22

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Leviticus 22

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Leviticus 22

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An Introduction to Leviticus 22

I ntroduction: Leviticus 22 deals with several items: when the priests should abstain from eating of the offerings which are brought to them; when those associated with the priests (slaves, relatives, etc.) can partake of the food offerings and when they cannot; and specific defects and blemishes in animals which make them unfit for sacrificial offerings.

Timeline for Leviticus

There is very little narrative in the book of Leviticus; so this information may have been given to Moses in a few days or, at most, a few weeks; and Moses both wrote these things down and informed the people. Because of information previously studied in the introduction, we are not 100% certain if all of this material was given to Moses while in the newly erected Tabernacle. I would lean towards that being the case.

As I have done previously, since this chapters is what God is saying to Moses, I will begin and end the chapter with quotation marks. I will not insert a new set of quotation marks for each new paragraph.

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Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The comparisons which I do are primarily between the English translations which are taken from the ancient tongues. For the most part, the variances are so minor that I rarely investigate them any further than that.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From http://www.becomingjewish.org/texts/targum/onkelos_Leviticus.html and first published in 1862.

Occasionally, there is an obvious error in the English translation, and I correct those without additional mention or footnoting. For instance, the online version of the Targum of Onkelos which I use has gorund in Ex. 4:9; I simply corrected the text. This may occur once or twice in a chapter.

I attempt to include translations which are different in their vocabulary and phrasing. On many occasions, I may include a translation which is not substantially different than another listed translation.

Most of the translations can be found here.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And so speaks Y^ehowah unto Moses, to say, “Speak unto Aaron and unto His sons and they will be dedicated from holinesses of sons of Israel and they will not profane a name of My holiness which they are regarding as holy to Me. I [am] Y^ehowah. Speak unto them, ‘To your generations, Every man who comes near from all your seed unto the holinesses that regard as holy sons of Israel to Y^ehowah and his uncleanness [is] upon him and has been cut off the soul the that from My faces. I [am] Y^ehowah.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Targum (Onkelos)                  . Translation for Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. (1862).

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And the Lord spoke to Moses saying:

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they beware of those things that are consecrated of the children of Israel: and defile not the name of the things sanctified to me, which they offer. I am the Lord.

Say to them and to their posterity: Every man of your race, that approacheth to those things that are consecrated, and which the children of Israel have offered to the Lord, in whom there is uncleanness, shall perish before the Lord. I am the Lord.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        Mar-Yah spoke to Mosha, saying,

"Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the B'nai Yisrael, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am Mar-Yah.

"Tell them, 'If anyone of all your seed throughout your generations approaches the holy things, which the B'nai Yisrael make holy to Mar-Yah, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am Mar-Yah.

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           .

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, and let them take heed concerning the holy things of the children of Israel, so they shall not profane My holy name in any of the things which they consecrate to Me: I am the Lord.

Say to them, Every man throughout your generations, whoever of all your seed shall approach to the holy things, whatsoever the children of Israel shall consecrate to the Lord, while his uncleanness is upon him, that soul shall be cut off from Me: I am the Lord your God.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And the Lord said to Moses, 

Give orders to Aaron and to his sons to keep themselves separate from the holy things of the children of Israel which they give to me, and not to make my holy name common: I am the Lord, 

Say to them, If any man of all your seed through all your generations, being unclean, comes near the holy things which the children of Israel make holy to the Lord, he will be cut off from before me: I am the Lord.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  The LORD God said to Moses,

"Tell Aaron and his sons: The gifts that the Israelites bring to me become holy. They belong to me, so you priests must show respect for these things. If you don't, you will show that you don't respect my holy name. I am the LORD. If any one of your descendants touches these things, that person will become unclean. That person must be separated from me. The Israelites gave these things to me. I am the LORD.

God’s Word™                         The LORD spoke to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons that they must respect the holy offerings which the Israelites set apart for me. In this way they will not dishonor my holy name. I am the LORD.

"Tell them: In future generations if any of your descendants, while unclean, comes near the holy offerings the Israelites set apart for the LORD, that person must be excluded from my presence. I am the LORD.

Good News Bible (TEV)         The LORD commanded Moses to tell Aaron and his sons, "You must not bring disgrace on my holy name, so treat with respect the sacred offerings that the people of Israel dedicate to me. I am the LORD. If any of your descendants, while he is ritually unclean, comes near the sacred offerings which the people of Israel have dedicated to me, he can never again serve at the altar. This applies for all time to come. I am the LORD.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

Contemporary English V.       The LORD told Moses to say to Aaron and his sons: I am the LORD God, and I demand that you honor my holy name by showing proper respect for the offerings brought to me by the people of Israel. If any of you are unclean when you accept an offering for me, I will no longer let you serve as a priest.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

UnfoldingWord (Simplified)    Yahweh also said to Moses,  

"Explain to Aaron and his sons about when they should not touch or eat any food that the people have dedicated to me by giving it as a sacrifice. They must not dishonor me or my name. I am Yahweh. Tell them that for all future time, if they or any of their descendants become unfit for any reason to do the work that priests must do, they must not go near anything the people of Israel have dedicated to me as an offering. Anyone who violates this rule will no longer be part of my people. I am Yahweh.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        .

Berean Study Bible                Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings that the Israelites have consecrated to Me, so that they do not profane My holy name. I am the LORD.  Say to them: ‘For the generations to come, if any of your descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD.

Conservapedia                       .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

The Heritage Bible                 .

International Standard V        Holy Offerings

Later on, the Lord spoke to Moses,

“Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to separate themselves for the sacred things of the Israelis and that they are not to defile my holy name. I am the Lord.

“Tell them that whoever among your descendants throughout your generations approaches the sacred things that the Israelis had consecrated to the Lord while still remaining unclean is to be eliminated from my presence. I am the Lord.

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Word Literal Text   .

Urim-Thummim Version         YHWH spoke to Moses saying, Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they keep sacredly separate from the Holy things of the children of Israel, so as not to profane my Holy Name in those things that they consecrate to me, I am YHWH. Say to them, Anyone who is unclean from among your offspring, of all your generations that approaches the Holy things that the children of Israel consecrate to YHWH, that person will be cut off from My presence, I am YHWH.

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)           Yahweh spoke to Moses; he said: “Tell Aaron and his sons when they have to abstain from the holy offerings of the people of Israel, lest they profane my holy name; for I am the one who makes them holy. I am Yahweh. Tell them this:

Anyone of your descendants, in any generation, who in a state of uncleanness approaches the holy offerings consecrated to Yahweh by the people of Israel, shall be outlawed from my presence. I am Yahweh.

New American Bible(2011)    .

The Catholic Bible                  .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989            .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

The Scriptures–2009              And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

“Speak to Aharon and his sons, that they separate themselves from the set-apart offerings of the children of Yisra’ěl, and that they do not profane My set-apart Name in what they set apart to Me. I am יהוה. 

“Say to them, ‘Any man of all your offspring throughout your generations who draws near the set-apart offerings which the children of Yisra’ěl set apart to יהוה, while he has uncleanness upon him, that being shall be cut off from before Me. I am יהוה.

Tree of Life Version                Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: “Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of Bnei-Yisrael, which they consecrate to Me, so that they would not profane My holy Name. I am Adonai. Tell them, if anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things, which Bnei-Yisrael consecrate to Adonai, while in a state of uncleanness, that soul will be cut off from before Me. I am Adonai.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            AND JESUS SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING,

“SPEAK TO AARON AND TO HIS SONS, AND LET THEM TAKE HEED CONCERNING THE HOLY THINGS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SO THEY SHALL NOT PROFANE MY HOLY NAME IN ANY OF THE THINGS WHICH THEY CONSECRATE TO ME: I AM JESUS.

SAY TO THEM, ‘EVERY MAN THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS, WHOEVER OF ALL YOUR SEED SHALL APPROACH TO THE HOLY THINGS, WHATSOEVER THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL CONSECRATE TO JESUS, WHILE HIS UNCLEANNESS IS UPON HIM, THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM ME: I AM JESUS YOUR THEOS (The Alpha & Omega).

Awful Scroll Bible                   Sustains To Become was to speak to Moses, to the intent:

Be speaking to Aaron and his sons, that they consecrate themselves, as being set apart of the sons of Contends-with-he-mighty - were they to be presumptuous in that being set apart in my name? - He setting them apart is Sustains To Become

You was to say: A man of the seed of your generations, that was to bring near to that being set apart, which the sons of Contends-with-he-mighty were to set apart to Sustains To Become and uncleanness is on that breather, he is to have been cut off, from being turned before Sustains To Become.

Concordant Literal Version    Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying.

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they should sequester themselves from the holy things of the sons of Israel which they are sanctifying to Me so that they may not profane My holy Name:I am Yahweh.

Say to them:Throughout your generations, every man of all your seed who is coming near to the holy things which the sons of Israel are sanctifying to Yahweh, when his uncleanness is on him, that soul will be cut off from My presence:I am Yahweh.

exeGeses companion Bible   And Yah Veh words to Mosheh, saying,

Word to Aharon and to his sons,

to separate themselves

from the holies of the sons of Yisra El

and not profane my holy name

in what they hallow unto me:

I - Yah Veh.

Say unto them,

The man of all your seed among your generations,

who approaches the holies,

which the sons of Yisra El hallow to Yah Veh,

having his foulness upon him,

cut off that soul from my face:

I - Yah Veh.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

Speak unto Aharon and to his Banim, that they separate themselves from the kodashim of the Bnei Yisroel which they set apart as kodesh unto Me, so that they will not commit Chillul ha-shem of Shem Kodshi: I am Hashem.

Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your zera among your dorot, that goeth unto the kodashim, which the Bnei Yisroel treat as kodesh unto Hashem, having his tumah upon him, that nefesh shall be cut off from My presence: I am Hashem.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    .

Lexham English Bible            Priests and Their Food

Then [Or “And”] Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell [Or “Speak to”] Aaron and his sons [Literally “to Aaron and to his sons”] that [Or “and”] they must deal respectfully with the Israelites’ [Literally “sons/children of Israel”] votive offerings, and they must not profane my holy name, which they are consecrating to me; I am Yahweh.

“Say to them, ‘Throughout your generations, any man from any of your offspring who comes near the votive offerings that the Israelites [Literally “sons/children of Israel”] consecrate to Yahweh with [Or “and”] his uncleanness on him, that person shall be cut off [Or “and that person shall be cut off”] from before me; [Literally “to the faces of me”] I am Yahweh.

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 .

Kaplan Translation                 Priestly Purity

God spoke to Moses, saying:

Speak to Aaron and his sons, and [tell them] to be careful regarding the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to Me, so that they not desecrate My holy name. I am God.

Tell them that if any man among their descendants is in an unclean state when he presents the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to God, he shall be cut off [spiritually] from before Me. I am God. The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Leviticus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.

be careful

(Ibn Ezra; Septuagint). Or, 'Withdraw' (Targum; Rashi).

their

Literally, 'your.'

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible(2011)    .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                                               Chapter 22.

And Yahweh spake unto Mosesˎ saying:

    Speak unto Aaronˎ and unto his sonsˎ

That they hold sacredly aloof^e from the holy things of the sons of Israel, so as not to profane my holyʹ name,—in the things which ||they|| are hallowing unto me—

||I|| am Yahweh.—

    Say unto them—

≤Unto your generationsˎ as touching any man who cometh near from among any of your seedˎ unto the hallowed things which the sons of Israel may hallow unto Yahweh, while his uncleanness is upon him≥ then shall that person be cut off from before me—

||I|| am Yahweh.

^e I.e.: when abstinence becomes a duty by reason of the following disabilities.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  . devote

C. Thomson Updated OT       .

Charles Thomson OT            ...then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and his sons and let them take heed not to profane my holy name, in respect to any of the holy things of the children of Israel, which they dedicate to me. I am the Lord; say unto them, What man soever of your seed, throughout your generations, shall come near to the holy things which the children of Israel may dedicate to the Lord, and have any uncleanness upon him, that person shall be cut off from me. I am the Lord your God; ...

Context Group Version          And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the special things of the sons of Israel, which they make special to me, and that they don't profane my special name: I am YHWH. Say to them, Whoever he is of all your (pl) seed throughout your (pl) generations, that approaches to the special things, which the sons of Israel make special to YHWH, having his uncleanness on him, that life shall be cut off from before me: I am YHWH.

English Standard Version      And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons so that they abstain from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they dedicate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name: I am the LORD. Say to them, 'If any one of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel dedicate to the LORD, while he has an uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal Standard Version        And YHWH speaks to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, and they are separated from the holy things of the sons of Israel, and they do not defile My holy Name in what they are hallowing to Me; I [am] YHWH. Say to them: Throughout your generations, any man who draws near, out of all your seed, to the holy things which the sons of Israel sanctify to YHWH, and his uncleanness [is] on him—indeed, that person has been cut off from before My face; I [am] YHWH.

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the sons of Israel, which they sanctify to me and that they do not profane my holy name. I am Jehovah.

Say to them, Any man out of all your* seed throughout your* genealogy, that approaches to the holy things, which the sons of Israel sanctify to Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul will be cut off from before me. I am Jehovah.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    ...and YHWH spoke to Mosheh saying, speak to Aharon and to his sons, and they will be dedicated from the special things of the sons of Yisra'eyl, and they will not defile my special title, which they are setting apart for me, I am YHWH. Say to them, to your generations, every man from all your seed that will come near to the special things, which the sons of Yisra'eyl will set apart for YHWH, and his dirtiness is upon him, and that soul will be cut from before my face, I am YHWH.

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      . consecrate

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young's Updated LT              .

The gist of this passage: 

Translation: Y^ehowah speaks unto Moses, saying,...

God continues speaking to Moses.

This chapter seems to be directed primarily to the people of Israel.

Translation: ...“Speak to Aaron and to his sons,...

Most of what relates to the priests and their responsibilities are found in Leviticus. Therefore, what God says to Moses, he tells these things to Aaron and his sons.

You will note his sons. Had the priesthood in Israel been celibate, that would have ended the priesthood. It was continued along generation after generation in the same genealogical line.

Translation: ...that they will be dedicated on account of the holy things of the sons of Israel...

The word for separation here is nâzar (נָזַר) [pronounced naw-ZAHR] and it is only found eight times in the Old Testament; it appears to simply mean to separate; to quote from Rotherham's footnote on p. 148: i.e., when abstinence becomes duty by reason of the following disabilities. Strong's #5144 BDB #634.

The sons of Aaron would be dedicated to the holy things of Israel, which refers to any Tabernacle activity or any sacrifices which are offered up.

Translation: ...and that they will not profane the Name of My holiness which they are regarding as set apart to Me.

The sons of Aaron are not to profane God’s Name in any way. His Name is synonymous with His essence and His essence is synonymous with the holy services performed by the Levites.

Translation: I [am] Y^ehowah.

God states Who He is.

Leviticus 22:1–2 Y^ehowah speaks unto Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they will be dedicated on account of the holy things of the sons of Israel and that they will not profane the Name of My holiness which they are regarding as set apart to Me. I [am] Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

People will be bringing all kinds of offerings to the priests to Y^ehowah. Some of these things brought to God will be in accordance with His will and others will be not unlike Cain's offering from his vegetable garden. The priests are not to offer just anything upon the altar to God—regardless of the incredible sincerity which might be expressed. Food will be brought, and animals and who knows what else. Some things are to be sacrificed upon the altar; other things are to be eaten by those of the priesthood and other things are to be eliminated as inappropriate or profane.

Translation: Say to them, ‘Regarding your generations:...

God tells Moses what to say regarding the descendants of Aaron.

Translation: ...any man who comes near from all your descendants to the holy things that the sons of Israel regard as holy to Y^ehowah,...

Holy things is the noun cognate for set apart. The word approaches often carries with it the implication of approaching with something.

If any man from all the descendants of Aaron comes near to the holy things of the sons of Israel. This refers to the sacrifices made, to the Tabernacle, and other similar things.

Translation: ...but his uncleanness [is] upon him—that soul has been cut off from My Presence.

If the son of Aaron has any uncleanness associated with him, his soul would be cut off from God.

Translation: I [am] Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

As is found in many chapters in Leviticus, there is a repeat of the refrain, I am Y^ehowah.

Leviticus 22:3 Say to them, ‘Regarding your generations: any man who comes near from all your descendants to the holy things that the sons of Israel regard as holy to Y^ehowah, but his uncleanness [is] upon him—that soul has been cut off from My Presence. I [am] Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

This is spoken to Moses to be conveyed to the sons of Aaron; they are not to approach Y^ehowah bearing any uncleanness. There is no verb for has in this verse, although several translators render a portion of this verse as he has an uncleanness. The gist seems to be the same, however, as the more literal rendering which I have given this. The thing which is brought is not what is unclean, but the person bringing it near to Y^ehowah is unclean. That priest will be cut off from God's presence (this is spoken to Aaron and his sons). That is, the Tabernacle is God's presence in Israel (just as God chose to Tabernacle among us as Jesus Christ) and the priest who does not adhere to these mandates set down by Y^ehowah will be removed from serving in the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 22:1–3 Y^ehowah speaks unto Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they will be dedicated on account of the holy things of the sons of Israel and that they will not profane the Name of My holiness which they are regarding as set apart to Me. I [am] Y^ehowah. Say to them, ‘Regarding your generations: any man who comes near from all your descendants to the holy things that the sons of Israel regard as holy to Y^ehowah, but his uncleanness [is] upon him—that soul has been cut off from My Presence. I [am] Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Leviticus 22:1–3 Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, “You will speak to Aaron and his sons that they will be set apart for My service for the holy things for the sons of Israel, that they not profane My Holy Name, which they ought to regard of set apart wholly unto Me. I am Jehovah. Say these things to them: ‘Regarding all of your future generations: anyone from all your descendants who comes near Me in any of the holy services, which are to be seen as set apart to Jehovah, but his uncleanness is on him—that soul will be cut off from My Presence, because I am Jehovah. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        A man a man from a seed of Aaron and he is leprous or having a discharge, in the holy things he will not eat until that is cleansed; and the one touching in any unclean of soul; or a man in which gushes from him a lying down of seed; or a man who will touch in any swarming thing which makes unclean to him; or in a man he defiles to him to any uncleanness of him. A soul which has touched in him and she is unclean as far as evening and he will not eat from the holy things, for if he has washed his flesh in the waters. And has gone in the sun and he has been made clean, and after he will eat from the holy things, for to his bread he [is].

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Targum (Onkelos)                  .

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Aramaic Targum                    .

The Psalms Targum              .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) The man of the seed of Aaron, that is a leper, or that suffereth a running of the seed, shall not eat of those things that are sanctified to me, until he be healed. He that toucheth any thing unclean by occasion of the dead: and he whose seed goeth from him as in generation:

And he that toucheth a creeping thing, or any unclean thing, the touching of which is defiling:

Shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat those things that are sanctified. But when he hath washed his flesh with water,

And the sun is down, then being purified, he shall eat of the sanctified things, because it is his meat.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        "'Whoever of the seed of Aaron is a leper or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him;

or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has;

the person that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his body in water.

When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.

Original Aramaic Psalms        .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           .

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And the man of the seed of Aaron the priest, if he should have leprosy or issue of the reins, shall not eat of the holy things, until he be cleansed; and he that touches any uncleanness of a dead body, or the man whose seed of copulation shall have gone out from him,

or whosoever shall touch any unclean reptile, which will defile him, or who shall touch a man, whereby he shall defile him according to all his uncleanness;

whatsoever soul shall touch them shall be unclean until evening; he shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his body in water,

and the sun go down, and then he shall be clean; and then shall he eat of all the holy things, for they are his bread.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             No man of the seed of Aaron who is a leper, or who has a flow from his body, may take of the holy food till he is clean. And any man touching anything which is unclean because of the dead, or any man whose seed goes from him; 

Or anyone touching any unclean thing which goes flat on the earth, or someone by whom he may be made unclean in any way whatever; 

Any person touching any such unclean thing will be unclean till evening, and may not take of the holy food till his flesh has been bathed in water; 

And when the sun has gone down he will be clean; and after that he may take part in the holy food, because it is his bread.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  "If any of Aaron's descendants has a serious skin disease or a discharge, he cannot eat the holy food until he becomes clean. This rule is for any priest who becomes unclean. That priest can become unclean from a dead body or from his own semen. He can also become unclean if he touches any unclean crawling animal. And he can become unclean if he touches an unclean person. It doesn't matter what made that person unclean. If he touches any of these things, he will become unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy food. Even if he washes with water, he cannot eat the holy food. He will be clean only after the sun goes down. Then he can eat the holy food because it is his share.

God’s Word™                         "No descendant of Aaron who has a skin disease or a discharge may eat any of the holy offerings until he is clean. Any person who has an emission of semen or touches a dead body, an unclean swarming creature, or an unclean person will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy offerings unless he has washed himself. When the sun has set, he will be clean. Then he may eat the holy offerings because they are his food.

Good News Bible (TEV)         "None of the descendants of Aaron who has a dreaded skin disease or a discharge may eat any of the sacred offerings until he is ritually clean. Any priest is unclean if he touches anything which is unclean through contact with a corpse or if he has an emission of semen or if he has touched an unclean animal or person. Any priest who becomes unclean remains unclean until evening, and even then he may not eat any of the sacred offerings until he has taken a bath. After the sun sets he is clean, and then he may eat the sacred offerings, which are his food.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

Contemporary English V.       None of you may take part in the sacred meals while you have a skin disease or an infected penis, or after you have been near a dead body or have had a flow of semen, or if you have touched an unclean creature of any sort, including an unclean person. Once you are unclean, you must take a bath, but you still cannot eat any of the sacred food until evening.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        .

Unfolding Bible Simplified      If any descendant of Aaron has a contagious skin disease or a discharge from his private parts, he is not allowed to eat any of the sacred offerings until he is cured. He will also be unfit for his work if he touches anything that has touched a corpse, or if he touches anyone who as an emission of semen, or if he touches anything that crawls on the ground, or if he touches any person who causes him to be unfit for his work. Any priest who touches anything unclean will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy things, unless he first washes his body with water. After the sun sets, he may eat food from the sacred offerings, because they are now his food that is to be eaten.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

The Heritage Bible                 . dusk

International Standard V        “If one of Aaron’s descendants has an infectious skin disease or a discharge, he is not to eat anything sacred until he has been cleansed. Anyone who touches an unclean thing on account of the dead, or who has a seminal discharge, or who becomes unclean by touching a creeping creature or another human being whatever the uncleanness may be—such a person [Lit. soul] who comes in contact with anything like this will become unclean until evening. As a result, he is not to eat the sacred things unless he has bathed himself [Lit. his body] with water. When the sun has gone down and he has been cleansed, he may eat of the sacred things, since that’s his food.

H. C. Leupold                         .

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    None of the descendants of Aaron who has an infectious skin disease, or an infection flowing from his body, may eat any of the sacrifices made to Yahweh until he is clean. Whoever touches anything unclean through contact with the dead, or by contact with a man who has a flow of semen, or whoever touches any creeping animal that makes him unclean, or any person who makes him unclean, whatever kind of uncleanness it may be— then the priest who touches anything unclean will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy things, unless he has bathed his body in water. When the sun has set, he will then be clean. After sunset he may eat from the holy things, because they are his food.

Urim-Thummim Version         Whatever man from Aaron's offspring who is a leper or has a dripping discharge, he will not eat of the Holy things until he is clean. And whoever touches anything that is unclean from a dead corpse, or a man, whose semen goes out from him, or a man who comes in contact with any swarming thing that is unclean to him, or comes in contact with a man who is unclean to him from his uncleanness. The person that has touched any of these will be unclean until sunset, and will not eat of the Holy things, unless he washes his flesh with water. But when the sun goes down he will be clean and will eat of the Holy things because its his food.

Wikipedia Bible Project          Each man of Aaron's seed, and he is leprous or discharging, will not eat in the holy place until he will be purified. And the one who touches in any defiled soul, or a man out of whom will come a semen discharge. Or a man who will touch of any vermin which will defile him, or a man who will be defiled, in all of his defilement. A soul which defilement will touch until the evening, and he will not eat from the holies, but if he will bathe his flesh in water. And the sum comes, and he is purified, and afterwards he will eat from the holies, because it is his bread.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Anyone of Aaron’s line who is afflicted with leprosy or a discharge must not eat holy things until he is clean. Anyone who touches something made unclean by a dead body, or has a seminal discharge, or is made unclean by touching either some creeping thing or some man who has communicated to him his own uncleanness of whatever kind, in short, anyone who has had any such contact shall be unclean until evening, and must not eat holy things until he has taken a bath. At sunset he will be clean and may then eat holy things, for these are his food.

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Catholic Bible                  .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Kaplan Translation                 .

The Scriptures–2009              .

Tree of Life Version                None of the offspring of Aaron who has tza’arat or has a discharge should eat of the holy things until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead or a man whose seed discharges from him or who touches any creeping thing that may make him unclean or a person who is unclean—whatever his uncleanness— the person who touches any such thing will be unclean until the evening, and is not to eat of the holy things, unless he has bathed his body in water. When the sun sets, he will become clean, and afterward he may eat of the holy things, because it is his food. A carcass or what is torn by beasts he is not to eat, becoming unclean by it. I am Adonai.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            .

Awful Scroll Bible                   A man of the seed of Aaron, being leprous or being with issue - was he to eat that being set apart? - When he was to be clean. He touching an unclean breather, or the seed of a man in laying down was to come out,

or was a man to touch that swarming which was to be unclean, or a human who was to be unclean, as to defile,

the breather who was to touch them, is to have been unclean till evening - was he to eat that being set apart? - Only when he is to have bathe his flesh with water.

As the sun is to have gone into, he is to have been clean, after that was he to eat that being set apart, even is it to be his food.

Concordant Literal Version    .

exeGeses companion Bible   Man - whatever man of the seed of Aharon

- leperous or fluxes

eats not of the holies until he purifies.

And whoever touches aught fouled by the soul,

or a man whose seed of copulation goes from him:

or whatever man touches any teemer

whereby he fouls himself,

or a human of his foulness

- whatever foulness he has;

the soul who touches any such

is fouled until evening:

and eats not of the holies

unless he baptize his flesh in water.

And when the sun downs,

he is purified

and afterward eats of the holies

because it is his bread.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Whatsoever man of the zera Aharon is a metzora, or hath a discharge; he shall not eat of the kodashim, until he be tahor. And whosoever toucheth any thing that is tamei by the dead, or a man whose shikhvat zera goeth from him;

Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made tamei, or a man who makes him tamei, whatsoever tumah he hath;

The nefesh which hath touched any such shall be tamei until erev, and shall not eat of the kodashim, unless he immerse his basar with mayim.

And when the shemesh is down, he shall be tahor, and shall afterward eat of the kodashim; because it is his lechem.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. ||No man soever of the seed of Aaronˎ who is a leperˎ or hath a flux|| shall eat ||of the holy things|| until he be clean,—

And ≤as for him who toucheth anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him; or a man who toucheth any creeping thingˎ which is unclean to him,—or [toucheth] any human being who hath uncleanness, to the extent of any thing that maketh him unclean≥ ||any person who toucheth any such|| shall then be unclean until the evening,—and shall not eat of the hallowed things, unless he bathe his flesh in water. <When the sun goeth in> then is he clean,—and <thereafter> he may eat of the hallowed things, for <his food> it is'.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    

Lexham English Bible            “ ‘Anyone [Literally “A man a man”] from Aaron’s offspring, if [Or “and”] he is afflicted with a skin disease or a fluid discharge, shall not eat in the sanctuary until [Literally “until which”] he is clean; and the one who touches any unclean person or a man from whom an emission of semen goes out, or a man who touches any swarmer that is unclean for him or who touches a person who is unclean for him due to [Literally “for”] whatever his uncleanness, a person who touches such a thing [Hebrew “him” or “it”] shall be unclean until the evening, and he shall not eat from the votive offerings, except [Or “but if” or “but rather”] when he washes [Or “bathes”] his body with water and the sun sets, [Literally “the sun goes” or “the sun enters”] and he shall be clean; then [Or “and”] afterward he may eat from the votive offerings, because it is his food.

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 Any descendant of Aaron who has a leprous mark or a male discharge may not eat any sacred offerings until he has purified himself. [The same is true] of one who touches anyone defiled by the dead, who has had a seminal emission,

or who has touched any unclean small animal or any person who can defile him.

A person who touches [any of the above] shall be unclean until evening, and he shall not eat any sacred offering unless he has immersed in a mikvah.

He then becomes ritually clean at sunset, and he can eat the sacred offerings which are his portion.

leprous mark

Leviticus 13:1-44.

male discharge

Leviticus 15:1-15.

defiled by the dead

(Rashi). Literally, 'unclean to a soul.'

seminal emission.

Leviticus 15:16-18.

small animal

Sheretz. Leviticus, 11:29, 30.

any of the above

(Rashi).

immersed...

See Exodus 29:4.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New Catholic Bible                 .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

C. Thomson Updated OT       .

Charles Thomson OT            I am the Lord your God; though a man be of the seed of Aaron the priest, yet if he be a leper, or hath a gonorrhea, he shall not eat of the holy things until he be cleansed. And with respect to him who toucheth any uncleanness of the dead, or the man from whom seminal matter may proceed; or who may touch any unclean reptile which may defile him; or any man, by whom he may be defiled, whatever his uncleanness may be; the person who shall touch such things shall be unclean until evening. He shall not eat of the holy things unless he wash his body with water, and the sun be set. When he shall be clean, then he may eat of the holy things; for it is his food. A portion of v. 3 is included for context.

Context Group Version          Any man of the seed of Aaron who is a leper, or has a discharge; he shall not eat of the special things, until he is clean. And whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man who has an emission of semen go out from him; or whoever touches any creeping thing, by which he may be made unclean, or man who is unclean to him, whatever uncleanness he has; the life that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the special things, unless he bathe his flesh in water. And when the sun has gone down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the special things, because it is his bread.

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    . issue

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal Standard Version        . teeming

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  Whatever man of the seed of Aaron being a man with a leprous disease, or has a discharge, he will not eat of the holy things until he is clean. And whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him, or whoever touches any creeping thing, by which he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has, the soul that touches any such will be unclean until the evening. And will not eat of the holy things unless he bathe his flesh in water. And when the sun is down, he will be clean and afterward he will eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   . running

Owen's Translation                .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    Each man from the seed of Aharon and is infected or issuing, he will not eat the special things, until he is clean, and anyone touching a dirty soul or a man that had the lying down of seed going out from him, or a man that touched any swarmer that is dirty to him, or with a human that is dirty to him to all his dirtiness. A soul that touches in him, then she^[810] will be dirty until the evening, and he will not eat from the special things, unless he bathed his flesh in the waters, and the sun came^[811], and he will be clean, and afterward he will eat from the special things, given that he is his bread.

810. Referring to the “soul,” a feminine noun.

811. This Hebrew word can also imply the “going down” of the sun.

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      . intercourse

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

4-7

Translation: Any man from the seed of Aaron and he [is] a leper or [he has] a discharge, he will not eat in the holy [places] until that [defect] is cleansed.

All of the priests—the sons of Aaron—must be clean in order to go into the Tabernacle or even near the brazen altar. Similarly, they must be clean in order to eat the meat or bread that has been offered to God.

Here, if the person has a skin disease or some sort of a discharge, he is considered unclean.

Leviticus 22:4a Any man from the seed of Aaron and he [is] a leper or [he has] a discharge, he will not eat in the holy [places] until that [defect] is cleansed. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: And the one who touches any (thing) unclean of soul,...

There are other reasons for uncleanness. Simply contact with someone who is unclean makes you unclear as well.

Translation: ...or a man who [has] a lying down of seed gushing from him,...

A person who has a seminal emission is considered unclean.

Translation: ...or a man who touches any swarming (or creeping) thing which makes him unclean...

Animals which crawled on the ground were unclean and touching them made a priest unclean.